skip to main content

Layout Help! for tiny bathroom

16 years ago

We are adding a small guest bath to our loft. (We will be living in this loft for 6-9 months while we are remodeling our home). This is a huge challenge and I could really use some suggestions.

The loft is 660 sq feet. It is 29 (north and south sides) x 21.5 (east and west sides). The 29'sides have a 30" knee wall on both sides. The stairs up to the loft are on the far nw corner of the 21.5' side. A dormer window is to the left of the stairs as you enter the loft about 4' from the sw corner. We are planning to put the bathroom at the se corner. Because of the knee wall and head room required for code, we have a little shy of 6' width due to a window on the east side. We will also be adding a sink for a small kitchenette on the other side of the bathroom wall. Length is not an issue but given plans for the rest of the space, we'd like to keep the bathroom as small as possible. We are trying to keep it at 5x10---that's the challenge!

We are on a lake and are planning a shingle cottage style home. The loft is currently all t&g pine with large dark cedar beams that we will be painting white. I know houseboats have tiny bathrooms but I haven't found any inspirations out there.

Any suggestions would be very helpful. We will be building the bathroom in August! Thanks!

Comments (4)

budge1
16 years ago
Okay, so if I understand you correctly, the 5x10 does not include a knee wall? That is the 5x10 space all has regular height ceilingand the knee wall space is beyond the 5x10?

If this is the case, this is not a small bathroom. You have a huge amount of room to play with - our main bath is 6x7 and while I would love more room, I know we will have everything we need and more.

Just a couple of questions - do you need a tub or can you do a shower stall? Do you have kids/how many of you will be using the room?

Here is one site that has quite a few bathroom pix to give you some ideas.

Here is a link that might be useful: aol bathrooms
lagom
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks for the input Budge1 -- the 5 x 10 does not include the knee wall BUT there is limited clearance because of the roofline (it's a loft) so we can't put a toilet or sink against that wall---code requires 7' headroom and that is not available until you get to the "center" of the 5x10 room. Right now the layout is configured with the bathtub running on the e wall---about a foot in from the window that is on the "outside" of the bathroom-- problem is, the sink and toilet have been placed on the w wall opposite the tub and that pushes out to 6+ feet so it sticks out beyond the window.

Thanks for the link, I'll check it out!
Related Discussions
Help! Attempting to remodel a tiny bathroom!
Q
Comments (10)
Oh my gosh! Thank you for all the replies! I had signed up for email notifications if/when someone responded and never got an email, so I assumed no one reponded! Ok, the dimensions are 9x6 approximately. Yes, the door on the left goes into our bedroom and the walk in closet is directly behind the tub. The sink actually goes all the way to the door but that program didn't have any sinks that size. My problem with getting rid of the door from our room to the bathroom is that I would have NO idea how to best utilize that space. There is a wall sticking out to enclose the bathtub, which basically makes that spot dead space, with or without the door. We have a small (6 feet tall, 18 inches wide) free standing linen cupboard up agains that wall. If I were to get rid of the door, and put in a linen closet, would it face the tub just as the sink does? I'd love to take that wall down and put in a corner tub but I don't think that would work with how little space we have. Thank you so much to the person who uploaded the pic of my bathroom!!!!!!! And thank you so much for responding!
...See More
Renovation of 2 tiny bathrooms, please help!
Q
Comments (4)
Without changing the footprint: *you can have glass showers to make it feel larger. * you can wall mount the toilet to give more space to maneuver * i would also reconsider the vanity and wonder of you are using the storage. if you can move the storage space to wall mounted storage you can make the space feel larger with a pedestal sink * the bathroom with a blue vanity may get a small win from moving the faucet to the adjoining wall. get a super narrow (12-18 inch) but long vanity there
...See More
Have you followed the Tiny Bathroom Layout thread?
Q
Comments (12)
There’s one active thread that has over 22,000 comments. Many of these long ass threads are the same posters chatting, and JAN coming on fussing at everyone. Whatever, cool, but I agree with Oly — they bump new threads down with ”Would a light blue, semi light blue, medium blue, darker medium blue, dark blue, or very dark blue pillow look better here?” I think Houzz should move them to the “Other” board, but they never ask me.
...See More
Tiny and awkward bathroom. Need layout help!
Q
Comments (2)
The best bet to keep costs down is to leave your plumbing where it is. So you won't be appreciably moving the fixtures. First, find out what's in the wall where you'd like to move the door. Then find out why the shower is 3.5" lower than the rest of the floor. Once you know those 2 things, you'll have some idea of what is possible. Then you need to decide what the main use for this bathroom is. If it's basically a powder room that happens to have a shower, your approach will be different from what it would be for a full-use bathroom. For a full-use bath, this is what I'd do: if possible, move the door over consider boxing in the ceiling pipes if possible, raise the shower floor get rid of the framed, glass shower door. Consider replacing either with a curtain (inexpensive and easy to clean) or a an unframed glass shower enclosure (expensive) do the entire floor including shower in the same tile decide if there is room for a vanity instead of a wall sink. If not, determine where other storage space can be created add more and better lighting add an exhaust fan
...See More
amy_d-r
16 years ago
Your bathroom is huge! Mine is 8X5.5. I can't quite understand about your roofline (does it slope down on both sides?), but I know wish I'd had that much space to play with. Here's a bathroom that had a layout I really liked--it's 9X6 and has a spacious feel with a tub, shower, toilet, and sink. Not a lot of storage, but maybe it'll work for you or at least help you brainstorm?

Here is a link that might be useful: 9X6 bathroom
lagom
Original Author
16 years ago
amy d-r -- I agree-- a straight up wall'd 8x 5.5 is a good size but my problem is the slope roof (ceiling) It's a loft...imagine the top of an A-frame. In sum, nothing can go against the south wall because of code for head clearance. In actuality I guess you could say the usable space (per code) would be 3' by 8. The bathtub is 5' but the end of the tub is under the sloped roofline so that leaves enough headroom on the other end.

It's a stumper. I fear we are going to need to make it 5 x12. Thanks for giving it a shot!

Sign Up to Comment

Related Stories

BATHROOM WORKBOOK Standard Fixture Dimensions and Measurements for a Primary Bath

By Steven Corley Randel, Architect

Create a luxe bathroom that functions well with these key measurements and layout tips

MOST POPULAR 7 Ways to Design Your Kitchen to Help You Lose Weight

By Mitchell Parker

In his new book, Slim by Design, eating-behavior expert Brian Wansink shows us how to get our kitchens working better

ARCHITECTURE House-Hunting Help: If You Could Pick Your Home Style ...

By Laura Gaskill

Love an open layout? Steer clear of Victorians. Hate stairs? Sidle up to a ranch. Whatever home you're looking for, this guide can help

BATHROOM DESIGN 9 Big Space-Saving Ideas for Tiny Bathrooms

By Laura Gaskill

Look to these layouts and features to fit everything you need in the bath without feeling crammed in

UNIVERSAL DESIGN My Houzz: Universal Design Helps an 8-Year-Old Feel at Home

By Becki Peckham

An innovative sensory room, wide doors and hallways, and other thoughtful design moves make this Canadian home work for the whole family

ORGANIZING Do It for the Kids! A Few Routines Help a Home Run More Smoothly

By Alison Hodgson

Not a Naturally Organized person? These tips can help you tackle the onslaught of papers, meals, laundry — and even help you find your keys

KITCHEN DESIGN Key Measurements to Help You Design Your Kitchen

By Steven Corley Randel, Architect

Get the ideal kitchen setup by understanding spatial relationships, building dimensions and work zones

DECORATING GUIDES Downsizing Help: Color and Scale Ideas for Comfy Compact Spaces

By Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer

White walls and bitsy furniture aren’t your only options for tight spaces. Let’s revisit some decorating ‘rules’

DECORATING GUIDES Houzz Call: What Home Collections Help You Feel Like a Kid Again?

By Mitchell Parker

Whether candy dispensers bring back sweet memories or toys take you back to childhood, we'd like to see your youthful collections

SELLING YOUR HOUSE Help for Selling Your Home Faster — and Maybe for More

By Laura Gaskill

Prep your home properly before you put it on the market. Learn what tasks are worth the money and the best pros for the jobs

Sponsored

Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery

233 Reviews

Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery

More Discussions

42” bathroom yay or nay.

13

Slightly ridged tile on shower floor?

2

How to change pride of Madeira flower color?

0

Maax shower enclosures

0

What Size Shower Floor Tile in Curbless Shower with Linear Drain?

0